When it comes to buying gifts this year, it’s good in the neighborhood. We offer areas with an abundance of great shops where you can buy local and stick around for some holiday merriment.
By Janelle Erlichman Diamond
with Jessi Rutherford and Leah Bayley-Hay
Photography by Christopher Myers
Illustrations by Charlotte Fu
Lauraville/Hamilton
While you’re here: Mail all your holiday packages from the post office that happens to be located inside a chocolate shop. Yes, Wockenfuss Candies on Harford Road in Parkville has both USPS priority mail and peppermint bark.
Angela Harding Winter Wonderland puzzle ($19.99) at Snug Books
Natasha’s Just Brittle ($6-23.99) at Natasha’s Just Brittle retail shop at B’More Made with Pride
1950s red Princeton wool letterman cardigan ($150) at Milk & Ice Vintage
Salt Box mug ($18) at Found Studio
Barebones pruning shears ($28) at Walther Gardens
David Aubrey fishbone chain necklace handcrafted with 18K gold plated brass, vintage acrylic, lemon jade, and howlite ($139) at Tortuga
Gift card for music lessons (amounts vary) at Four Hour Day
Mt. Vernon
While you’re here: Dooby’s has the best hot chocolate—steamed milk mixed with house-made mocha and vanilla syrups. It’s the perfect way to keep hands warm for the Monument Lighting and Christmas caroling around the neighborhood.
Sabine Be “Be Bobo Line” frames ($519) at Paris West Optical
Le MONADE Apple Pear, Cranberry Sage, and Vanilla Rosemary mixers ($15 each) at The Stand by Le MONADE
Copper bracelet ($35), large copper cuff ring ($45), and brass cuff ring ($28) created from nature collected around Baltimore City at Tigerlillyshop
John Waters-inspired pajamas ($175) at Hotel Ulysses
“Daughter,” a Hilton Carter x Ceremony Collaboration ($24) at Ceremony Coffee
Lumbee Tribe member Christine Duckworth Native Flare earrings ($55) at The Walters Art Museum gift shop
Sole Wash x Revival sneaker laundry service ($35-75) at Revival, the hotel located in Mt. Vernon
Blackwing drawing pencils ($27 for a set of 12) at The Paper Herald
Fells Point
While you’re here: Don’t miss the Baltimore Parade of Lighted Boats, where floating festive vessels parade around the harbor. We suggest an afternoon of shopping, followed by dinner in Fells, before the show.
Regeneration: Black Cinema, 1898–1971 coffee table book ($49.95) at Greedy Reads
Thread 22 vertical wallet ($25) at Fells Point Surf Co.
Big Ass Brick of Soap ($10) at Fells Point Surf Co.
Forerunner 255 running smartwatch by Gaiman ($349.99) at Charm City Run
Floral shades for kids ($14) at Poppy & Stella
Lucky Feather initial ring ($18) at Poppy & Stella
Custom rowhouse on wood plank and brick ($150) at The Seasoned Olive
Route One Apparel Natty Boh button-up Hawaiian shirt ($42.99) at E.C. Pops
Hampden/Remington
While you’re here: Grab a scoop of Hanukkah-inspired sufganiyot ice cream at The Charmery before you head to Miracle on 34th Street.
Olive winter hat in gold with tassels ($42) at Milagro, A Global Boutique
Yeowww catnip rainbow ($8.49) at Howl
Nuukk tattoos ($5.50) at In Watermelon Sugar
Mounted tropical plant ($55) at B. Willow
New Windsor High School jacket ($125) at Get Shredded Vintage
SoBotanical locally made CBD Magnesium Butter ($72) at Face Nourish ($55) and Vitamin C Serum ($42) at SoBotanical
Xenia Taler bamboo dinner plate ($12) and side plate ($10) at Good Neighbor
Taharka Bros. ice cream home delivery ($65 for eight pints.)
Towson/Ruxton/Hunt Valley
While you’re here: Don’t miss the eighth annual Holiday Makers Market on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Green Spring Station. There’s live holiday music, a winter cocktail bar, and shopping from more than 30 hand-selected local vendors and artisans.
Hori Hori multi-purpose tool ($34.99) at Valley View Farms
Isaac Bowman Port Barrel Finished Bourbon ($35) at North Charles Fine Wine & Spirits
Or & Ahavah Hanukkah candle ($20) and blue and white matches ($10) at Taken
Mini plush dinosaurs ($12.50 each) at Wee Chic
Central Park Winter by Joy Laforme paint-by-number kit ($48) at Ruxton Mercantile
Legend sweater shirt in Elan plaid ($178) at Nova Man
Setsu crochet crepe suede boots in camel ($200) at Matava Shoes
Pie for Everyone: Recipes and Stories from Petee’s Pie, New York’s Best Pie Shop ($32.50) at Gundalow Gourmet
Steve Madden Eden puffer ($99) at GirlHero
Lihit Lab cat pencil case ($19.99) at Plaza Artist Materials
Library of Games tumbling tower ($35) at Becket Hitch
